At her second dinner, Esther gave the king the great reveal. The king didn’t know that the decree he had allowed Haman to write was against the Jews. Esther had not revealed the fact that she was a Jew as she obeyed Mordecai’s instructions. Thus, the king understood that the decree Haman had written was a death sentence for the queen.
At this point, the king knew he could not trust his second in command. Previously, the king depended on his officials to help make decisions. Now, this was unavailable, and the king was so angered that he left to walk in the garden.
Haman Unmasked
After Haman heard that Esther was a Jew, he was frightened as he realized that he had inadvertently threatened the queen. But there was more to come. As the king pronounced a death sentence, Harbona, a king’s official, revealed more information. Esther 7: 9 Then Harbona, one of the king’s eunuchs, said, “Haman has set up a sharpened pole that stands seventy-five feet tall in his own courtyard. He intended to use it to impale Mordecai, the man who saved the king from assassination.” [1]
Now, the king knew that his trust in Haman had been misplaced. Haman had manipulated the king to kill a people group, which would result in Esther’s death. And beyond that, Haman had wanted to kill the one who had protected the king from internal enemies. The king was angry and ordered Haman to be killed on the stake which he planned to kill Mordecai.
God’s Character Revealed
The Book of Esther never mentions the name of God, but as we look at the story, we can see God moving behind the scenes. Haman tried to manipulate to receive wealth and honor but failed. Mordecai was honored by a parade but simply returned to work afterward. He didn’t seek honor and wealth, but it came to him. After Haman’s death, Mordecai received the king’s signet ring and became manager of Haman’s estate.
1 Chronicles 29: 12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. [2] We see God at work in Mordecai’s life.
We also see God as the protector as His hand moves through the story to protect His people, the Jews. Today, God continues to care for us because He loves us. Jesus taught this lesson. Matthew 6: 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?[3]
Even in our society, God can reveal leaders’ and business people’s true motives. He sees all that goes on in the public and in our private lives. The story of Esther teaches us that God knows what the wicked are doing, and he will bring justice to the situation.
To learn more about the great reveal, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/reversal-of-fortunes
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.